Aerial view of Dahlonega square holiday lights. Photo by Jeremy Satterfield

Old Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega, Georgia. Photo by Jeremy Satterfield

Georgia's Magical Holiday Events

From holiday lights to train rides with Santa, experience the magic of the season at these Georgia events!

Twinkling lights, train rides, historic home tours and more fill the events calendar throughout the holidays in Georgia. These signature events are gifts the whole family will enjoy this holiday season.

Holiday Light Displays

Christmas tree and holiday lights on Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island, Georgia

Holly Jolly Jekyll

Jekyll Island is home to more than a million lights during the Holly Jolly Jekyll season. The Great Tree alone has more than 45,000, which is more per square foot than the NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! Purchase tickets online for the guided tram tours that take place on select nights. Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, music, and a one-of-a-kind tour souvenir! 

Don't miss the light parade, holiday fireworks, and special drive-in movie presentations. Check the Jekyll Island events calendar for a full lineup of holiday fun!

Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023

Gigantic wreath of lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens Fantasy in Lights
Callaway Resort & Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens

Callaway Resort & Gardens' Fantasy In Lights is not only the South's most spectacular holiday light and sound show, it is one of the world's "Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights," as named by National Geographic Traveler. In 2020, a scene titled Magical Field of Lights made its debut to mark the 29th year of this spectacular Christmas event! The Field of Lights scene is nearly two football fields long, featuring a Christmas tree more than 10 stories tall, making it the tallest Christmas tree in the South. Shop in the Christmas Village, and ride through the illuminated forest.

Plan your trip with tips from Explore Georgia's Guide to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens.

Nov. 18, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

Aerial view of holiday lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia
Aerial view of holiday lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by @jerrito1

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The annual electrical extravaganza features spectacular light displays throughout the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The massive Tunnel of Light along with favorites such as the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and Model Trains continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition.

Nov. 12, 2022 - Jan. 14, 2023

Toy soldiers light display at Rock City Gardens' Enchanted Garden of Lights in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Toy soldiers light display at Rock City Gardens' Enchanted Garden of Lights in Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights

This award-winning light extravaganza at Rock City Gardens features more than 30 holiday scenes that transform the gardens' natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. Explore the Arctic Kingdom Aurora Lights, the Magic Forest and more, while also enjoying holiday shopping and visiting with Santa.

Nov. 18, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023. Reserved timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Trees decorated with holiday lights along a path at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens
Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia

Winter WonderLights

This walk-through light show at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens features illuminated displays along a half-mile path that is certain to delight and inspire. Wander through the Garden of Delights, Candy Cane Lane and Cone Tree Plaza while you enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and shop for gifts in the holiday market. The half-mile trail takes 45-60 minutes to complete and is fully ADA accessible.

Select nights Nov. 23, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023

Holiday lights in Moultrie, Georgia
Moultrie, Georgia

Tree Lighting Events

Join magical festivities in town squares throughout the state in dramatic holiday lighting ceremonies with music, performances, food and much more family fun. Mark your calendars for these hometown favorites:

Find more lights in: 


Festivals

Holiday lights and decorations on the square in Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

Old Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega

Don't miss the Lighting of Downtown Dahlonega and Lighting of the Tree on Nov. 25, 2022, the Christmas Parade on Dec. 10, 2022, and visit with Santa various dates. Enjoy Christmas lights, carriage rides, music, wine tastings, extended shopping hours and more holiday festivities through Jan. 8, 2023. Experience the holidays in Dahlonega, which has been named one of the Top 25 Hallmark Christmas Towns!

Nov. 25, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023

Family plays in the snow at Stone Mountain Christmas
Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain Christmas

Have a holly jolly Christmas at Stone Mountain Park, where the true magic of the season is in the air. Enjoy the glow of more than 2 million lights, festive music and visits from some your favorite holiday characters at Stone Mountain Christmas. Start a new tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime for your kids...and you.

Nov. 12, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

Santa and child at Victorian Christmas in Thomasville, Georgia
Victorian Christmas in Thomasville, Georgia

Victorian Christmas in Thomasville

Carriage rides with jingle bells and twinkling lights set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience during Thomasville's Victorian Christmas. Carolers sing traditional favorites while colorful characters capture your imagination with street theater. Community sing-alongs, chestnut roasting and marshmallow toasting will put you in the mood for Christmas. Festival favorites include live musical entertainment, carriage rides, a live nativity and a winter wonderland for children!

Dec. 8-9, 2022

Explore more events & festivals in Georgia


Home Tours

Couple standing in front of the Christmas tree at the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville, Georgia
Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville, Georgia

Christmas at the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville

Embrace the smell of fresh-cut Fraser firs and chestnuts on the fire as Milledgeville's Old Governor’s Mansion transforms into a beautiful representation of what Christmas looked like in the time period before the Civil War. During Christmas at the Mansion, every room is dressed with authentic period decorations - from streamers in the children’s room to poinsettias, holly branches and gorgeous ribbons in other rooms and parlors. For an especially unique experience, take a candlelight tour.

Nov. 20 - 23 and Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, 2022

Holiday decorations at Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia
Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia

Hills & Dales Estate

Celebrate the season at the Hills & Dales Estate in LaGrange. The halls of this Georgian Italian villa are decked with fresh plants, flowers and evergreens. In the living room is a Christmas tree decorated circa 1940s, and a special display adorns the Palm room. Tour the home, and learn to make your own greenery at wreath workshops

Dec. 2 - 30, 2022

More: Celebrate Christmas Past with These Holiday Home Tours


Holiday Train Rides

Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia

Holiday Express in Blue Ridge

Enjoy a daytime fun-filled train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Lasting only an hour, the ride is great for families, and all children get a traditional bell and a candy cane.

Select dates November through December 2022

Aerial view of St. Marys Express trail
St. Marys Express

Santa Express in St. Marys

On the Georgia Coastal Railway, the magic of Christmas comes alive during the Open Air Railcar Experience, when Jolly Old St. Nick himself and his elves board the train. Enjoy entertainment all along the way. Or, you can choose the Santa Special, which features an interactive, family-friendly adventure with heroes Mason and Molly on a quest to save Christmas. Santa makes an appearance along with the Snow Queen, elves, snow people and more.

Select dates Nov. 25 - Dec. 24, 2022

Santa visiting families on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad
Historic SAM Shortline Railroad

Holiday Train Rides on SAM Shortline

Reserve your tickets on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad for several special holiday train rides. Join the ride to Plains on Nov. 26, 2022, to see the annual Christmas Lighting, ride the Candy Cane Express, and more!

Select dates November through December 2022

More: 8 Holiday Train Adventures Around Georgia


See How to Celebrate the Holidays in Georgia

Published: October 2022
Written by: Lesli Peterson
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